Helena Area Reservoirs Ice Fishing Report 1/30/2012By Kjel

Posted: January 30, 2012

Canyon Ferry: Ice conditions of 12 to 14 inches continue to be reported south of Confederate Bay and the ice line remains just north of White Earth. The rainbow trout bite has been best between the Silos and Pond 4 using various colors of jigs or ice flies, tipped with worms or maggots, in 2 to 10 feet of water. Yellow perch continue to be caught between Duck Creek and Hole-in-the-Wall. Hali Jig’s and Swedish Pimple’s, tipped with maggots or worms and fished in 40 to 50 feet of water, continue to work well. Early morning has been the best time to fish. A few walleye are being caught throughout the reservoir. No report for ling. Adam Strainer, FWP, Helena

Hauser: Rainbow fishing is fair from shore below Canyon Ferry Dam while using egg sacks. Rainbow fishing has been very good through the ice at the Causeway while using green or red ice jigs tipped with maggots or a worm. Ice at the Causeway is 8 inches thick while Black Sandy has 4-5 inches. Troy Humphrey, FWP, Helena

Holter: The ice is still too unstable to go out on. Troy Humphrey, FWP, Helena

Helena Valley Regulating Reservoir: Kokanee fishing is very good with chartreuse or pink jigs tipped with a maggot or corn at 15 to 35 feet deep. There is 12-14 inches of ice. Troy Humphrey, FWP, Helena

Anglers are reminded that ice conditions can be extremely variable on the reservoirs. Ice thickness can range from thick enough to support a vehicle to open water. Extreme caution should be used when accessing the ice.